God, Family, and the Green Bay Packers

[Jim Maule]

richard duncan <rduncan at UNLINFO.UNL.EDU> writes:

> Thanks to Jim Maule and Bob O'Brien for their examples of religious
> persecution in the 17th Century. Of course, history is replete
> with instances of people being persecuted for speaking out (or
> believing in) the *wrong* religion. My observation about "religious
> harassment" was designed to suggest that in modern America we have
> laws (and social customs) that punish or discourage *all* religious
> expression in the workplace and other "public" places. Marie had asked
> why sportstalk is ubiquitous and Godtalk rare in our culture. I tried
> to suggest at least the beginning of an answer. In modern America we
> don't burn those considered heretics at the stake; instead,
> we marginalize *all religions* and call it "religious neutrality."

I don't disagree. But there may be another factor at work here (oops,
sorry). Almost everyone I hear discussing sports portrays themselves
as experts. I don't find that with theological discussion generally
(aside from the few "hot" topics on which the various arguments do
get some degree of popular press coverage). I think that most people
tend to be less outspoken when they feel less competent on the
subject matter. Is it possible that Americans are far less educated
theologically than athletically? Maybe.
    The "wrong" athletic opinion can get someone into trouble in some
towns on some occasions much as the "wrong" theological opinion could
produce the same result. (Consider European football fans who
sometimes get a bit zealous in their support of their teams). It is
only the "efficiency" of the rule of law in modern times that keeps
riots at sporting events to a minimum. (Cf. rock concerts). Had the
NFL existed in 17th century England, yikes! (Actually, the War of the
Roses a few hundred years earlier may have qualified as a pre-NHL or
pre-NFL experiment?!)
    The tendency to do the "us versus them" self-protection maneuver
is not limited to religion matters. What fascinates me is the
relative value given to the topic. Yes, I am a sports fan, but
whether Maris' home run record is broken doesn't matter to me quite
as much as the theological matters I ponder.
    Query. If sports fanaticism (note derivation of word "fan") ever
led to wholesale riots, etc. (as suggested in several "post-
Apocalyptic movies), would the law marginalize it in order to
minimize the damage that would otherwise result?

Jim Maule
Professor of Law
Villanova University School of Law
Villanova, PA 19085
maule at law.vill.edu
(610) 519 - 7135